Suspect Still At Large In Southern State Pkwy Shooting, Reward Offered

WEST HEMPSTEAD, NY — A trooper was shot Wednesday night on the Southern State Parkway and the person fled, state police said.

The New York State Police is partnering with Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to offer a $5,000 reward for anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the person responsible "for this cowardly act," Major Stephen Udice said.

The trooper, 27-year-old Thomas Mascia, was on routine patrol just before midnight when a vehicle when he noticed a stopped vehicle by Exit 17 in West Hempstead that "appeared to need help," Udice said. "He became a target for them. They started firing rounds at him."

Mascia is listed in stable condition at Nassau University Medical Center, state police said.

Police Superintendent Steven James said the trooper's wounds were not life-threatening. He had surgery this morning. State police said he was alert and conscious on Thursday morning.

"It's too soon to determine what kind of recovery he will endure," James said.

Mascia was struck by, what is believed to be a .22 caliber bullet in the right quadricep near his knee, James said.

James said at the news conference on Thursday that the suspect is still on the loose. The trooper is a Nassau County resident, News 12 reported.

"It is imperative that we remove this individual from the streets of our society," Major Stephen Udice said.

The New York State Troopers PBA said in a statement: "We are sickened by the actions of this cowardly individual who thought nothing of shooting a trooper who was simply doing his job. This perpetrator must be brought to swift justice."

The man fled in a black sedan with a temporary New Jersey tag 997636T. The vehicle is also described as having custom matte gray dual exhaust tips, state police said.

"Someone who is willing to fire a gun at a law enforcement officer is most certainly a dangerous individual," James said.

James said there is no body camera footage of the shooting or the vehicle.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 631-756-3300.

The New York State Police is partnering with Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to offer a $5,000 reward for anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the person responsible "for this cowardly act," Udice said.